History Schiedamse Vest

The building the Schiedamse Vest was designed by the architect Jan Wils (1891-1972). Wils was a member of the Dudokschool. He also designed the Amsterdam Olympic Stadium. The building was build next to the “Bijenkorf” at the Schiedamse Singel. They intent to extent the building to the Schilderssteeg. They build the CityFlat later on this place. During the Second World War the “Bijenkorf” was largely destroyed. Later they rebuild it on its current location. The parterre was designed for shops. The first till the sixth floor were designed for apartments. The seventh floor contained single apartments. After the SSHR (now Stadswonen) bought the building in 1989, the seventh floor almost remained the same.

Foto 1: Frontside of the building	Foto 2: Backside of the building

The architect used a frame of steel. This can be seen on the photos. The use of steel wasn’t very common. They probably used steel to build the apartment quickly. During the war the building caught fire. All the wood inside the building was burned. The steel frame wasn’t damaged also the seventh floor wasn’t damaged. Probably the steel frame was the reason why the building survived the war. Nowaday the building is a monument.

Sources:
J.A. Genderen Stort, "The building at the Schiedamse Singel", Staal, februari 1941
www.bouwenmetstaal.nl
www.woonen.nl